Denmark’s Ministry of Integration has established a social networking website
to encourage foreign workers to meet Danish people.

“Let’s meet! is a new website aimed at creating international friendships throughout Denmark,” the website reads. “Through our online platform, you can search for, find and match up with open-minded Danes and expats in Denmark, who are curious and interested in getting to know others living in Denmark. “

Craig Till of Expat in Demark, Denmark's official network for foreign professionals which is supporting the new site, said that the website's long-term aim was to encourage expats to stay in the country.

“Demark has a real issue with recruiting, but also more specifically retaining, qualified foreign labour professionals," he said. "Comparatively speaking, expats don’t stay here very long, and one of the main reasons they cite is that they fail to make friends and feel that they’ve socially integrated into Danish life.

"We hope this website will provide a platform where expats can finally meet Danes, and other expats too.”

Related Articles

According to English language newspaper theCopenhagen Post, four out of ten of the expat specialists who move to Denmark say that they are surprised how asocial Danes are, while six out of ten state that it is difficult to make Danish friends.

Last year, Denmark’s Business and Economy Ministry revealed a 4.5 million kroner initiative aimed at encouraging foreign professionals living in Denmark to settle permanently.

There are currently 66,000 qualified foreign professionals in Denmark, out of a working population of 2.3 million.

Between 2010 and 2019 the Danish workforce is expected to decrease by 38,000 persons, by which time the Danish labour market will lack 105,000 highly skilled workers.

Mr Till said that though there was a popular perception of Danes as "standoffish," many Danes were keen to meet expats. "The problem is that they are a very private nation, and tend to socialise with a small group of friends. This means that it can be difficult for expats to break the ice, especially as the British working culture of drinks after work and long lunch breaks doesn’t really exist here."

He advised any expats in the country to make sure that they took the initiative in meeting local people. “If you sit around and wait for people to come to you, it won’t happen. But if you make the effort, you will find friends."